Merkel Has a Nuclear Problem the Size of Belgium

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has revealed more than she might have cared to about her nuclear exit strategy.

The German government, after a cabinet decision Monday, has been bragging about its environmental credentials with plans for a massive build-up of offshore wind power.

But Mrs. Merkel, speaking in the German parliament Thursday, disclosed that the government now aims for the construction of up to 20 gigawatts in additional gas and coal fire plant capacity as nuclear stations are phased out by the end of 2022.

That’s double what the government had judged necessary. And it would come on top of 10 gigawatts in fossil capacity already planned or being built.

Mrs. Merkel says that Germany is required to have enough spare capacity to guarantee the power supply of Europe’s biggest economy.

But she doesn’t explain who should build the gas and coal fire plants.

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